The Big Con | Gunsmoke (05-16-53)

Summary

Old Time Radio Westerns: Gunsmoke – "The Big Con" (05-16-53)

Episode Overview
Released: August 4, 2026
Host: Andrew Rhynes
Restored Broadcast: Gunsmoke, originally aired May 16, 1953
Main Theme: This gripping radio drama is centered on a high-stakes con in Dodge City, where a poker game gone wrong and a $20,000 bank loan threaten not just a man’s fortune but the town’s entire faith in law and order. Marshal Matt Dillon is faced with players both literal and figurative – gamblers out for a big score, a banker’s fateful decision, and the challenge of upholding justice when the law proves frustratingly limited.

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Key Discussion Points and Plot Breakdown

1. An Unusual Morning in Dodge (03:33 – 04:44)

• Marshal Matt Dillon is out early, a rare event, which worries his deputy, Chester.
• Their banter highlights a theme of responsibility and the unpredictability of trouble in Dodge.

2. The High-Stakes “Loan” (04:44 – 08:01)

• At the bank, a gambler named Hook, accompanied by two men, requests a $20,000 loan as he’s been dealt a potentially unbeatable poker hand and needs more stake.
• The collateral is sealed cards, to be witnessed only by the bank president.
• The bank president, Mr. Papp, is swayed by the promise of a safe, profitable loan as he’s shown four aces and a ten.
• Despite Marshal Dillon’s cautions, the money is lent, and Dillon is asked to escort the men for security.

“You run the bank, Mr. Pep, but are you sure you ought to take a gamble with other people's money?” – Matt Dillon (07:21)

3. The Big Loss (08:01 – 11:01)

• At the Texas Trail, Hook’s sure-fire hand is beaten by a “straight flush.”
• The bank loses $20,000, leaving Mr. Papp mortified and desperate.
• Hook’s assurances that he will wire for repayment ring hollow.

“$20,000, just like that…” – Chester (08:49)

• Matt counsels that secrecy is vital to preserve the bank’s standing.

4. The Aftermath: Suspicions & Regrets (11:01 – 14:11)

• Papp is devastated: “I can’t face it, Marshal. I just can’t face it.” (10:58)
• Hook claims he’ll repay, but Dillon’s suspicions grow.
• Doc Adams enters, recognizing Hook as possibly familiar from a similar New Orleans scam years earlier.

5. The Con Unfolds (14:20 – 18:15)

• Dillon has the three gamblers’ photos taken for future identification.
• The men go along with the process, realizing the marshal suspects them and wants to keep them in town.

6. Tragedy Strikes (18:09 – 19:04)

• Doc brings word: Mr. Papp has committed suicide, unable to face his failure.
• Dillon is forced to admit his inability to prove wrongdoing by the gamblers.

“I figured my job was to give them faith in the law, and I couldn’t do it that way…” – Matt Dillon (22:32)

7. Pressure on the Con Men (21:02 – 24:49)

• Dillon confronts Hook with the news of Papp’s death, questioning his past in New Orleans.
• Hook denies ever having been there but is unsettled.
• The tension mounts as Dillon warns Hook not to leave Dodge.

8. Kidnapping and Pursuit (23:23 – 27:38)

• Chester finds a ransom note: The con men have abducted Doc, threatening his life to cover their escape.
• Dillon and Chester track the group, eventually finding their camp after a day-long pursuit.

9. Climax on the Prairie (27:39 – 30:06)

• Dillon and Chester execute a plan to steal the con men’s horses, leaving them stranded.
• Doc, tied up, bravely helps by distracting Hook, and Dillon disarms the ringleader.
• With Doc rescued, the con men are left on foot for the law to round up later, weak and subdued.

“There wasn’t a thing the law could do until you ran. You’ll be caught now for sure.” – Doc Adams to Hook (28:06)

10. Justice, Not Vengeance (30:05 – 30:57)

• Dillon explains he doesn’t want bloodshed: “I don’t want to have to kill them to take them. But in a few days, they’ll be so hungry and scared we can walk right up to them. Nobody will get hurt that way.”
• Chester requests to bring the men in himself once they’re weakened by the prairie, growing in his role as deputy.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Collapsing Trust
  • “As soon as they hear about this, there won’t be any bank... What’ll Joanne think? My kids...” – Mr. Papp (10:29)
• Guilt and Law’s Limits
  • “Maybe I should have arrested Hook and his friends without any evidence and just seize the $20,000 and put it back where it belonged... but I figured my job was to give them faith in the law, and I couldn’t do it that way.” – Matt Dillon (22:32)
• Unspoken Loss
  • “He killed himself. Suicide. Pap by nargo. Poor. That poor man.” – Doc (18:14)
• Confronting the Past
  • “Tell me something, Mr. Hook. When were you in New Orleans last?” – Matt Dillon (22:15)

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Important Timestamps

• 03:33 – Chester’s concern as Matt Dillon is up early
• 04:44–05:20 – Hook requests $20,000 loan against a sealed poker hand
• 08:01–08:32 – The “sure thing” loses; straight flush beats four aces
• 10:29–11:01 – Mr. Papp realizes the full consequences of the loss
• 14:20–17:24 – The con men photographed for future identification
• 18:09–19:04 – Doc reveals Mr. Papp’s suicide
• 21:04–22:37 – Dillon questions Hook, who denies a New Orleans connection
• 23:23–23:49 – Doc’s kidnapping is discovered
• 27:39–28:51 – Doc helps disarm Hook during tense prairie standoff
• 30:05–30:57 – Chester asks Dillon to let him bring the criminals in alone

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Tone & Atmosphere

True to Gunsmoke’s legacy, this episode is rich with tension, regret, and moral ambiguity. The dialogue is laconic and sharp, spotlighting Dillon’s principled, weary sense of duty. The stakes are deeply personal – not only for the bank and its manager, but for the entire town’s trust in law and order.

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Concluding Thoughts

“The Big Con” is a classic Western morality tale, as much about justice and community trust as it is about action. Marshal Dillon’s restraint, Chester’s earnest growth, and the cruel fate of Mr. Papp emphasize how even the strongest sense of duty can be challenged by clever criminals—and how the law sometimes bends under the weight of human weakness. Each character is drawn with emotional depth, and the sound design (enhanced in this restoration) increases the immersion in this timeless drama.

Summary prepared by: Old Time Radio Westerns – Podcast Summarizer

Transcript

[Matt Dillon]

Ch, ch.

[Chester]

Ch.

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[Chester]

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[Chester]

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[Andrew Rines]

Welcome to the Old Time Radio Westerns. I'm your host, Andrew Rines and I'm excited to bring you another episode. This is one of over 80 episodes released monthly for your enjoyment. You can find more western shows at our website by going to otrwesterns.com now let's get into this episode.

[Narrator]

Around Dodge City and in the territory on west, there's just one way to handle the killers and the spoilers. And that's where the U.S. martial Marshall and the smell of gun smoke. Gunsmoke, starring William Conrad. The story of the violence that moved west with young America. The story of a man who moved with it. Matt Dillon, United States Marshal this episode

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[Chester]

Trouble could start anytime in Dodge. But usually it was at night that the men made their play along Front Street. And so, ordinarily, I was up a good part of the night and did my sleeping in the morning. It was a rare thing for me to be out in the early day. And for some reason, it worried Chester.

[Matt Dillon]

I just don't understand why you couldn't sleep, Mr. Dillon. Unless you had the colic or something.

[Chester]

I feel fine, Chester. Just got a few things to take care of at the bank, that's all.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, I know, but the bank's open all day.

[Chester]

You know what they always say, Chester. It's the early bird that catches the worm.

[Matt Dillon]

My ma used to tell us that one about being healthy, wealthy and wise.

[Chester]

Used to root us out of bed

[Matt Dillon]

every morning at daylight on account of it.

[Chester]

It's a good saying.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. I don't know whatever become of my brothers, but I'm sure not living in a very big house.

[Chester]

Maybe you ought to come in here more often.

[Matt Dillon]

I got no business with the bank, Mr. Dillon. Well, morning, Mr. Fogg. Morning, Chester. Morning, Mr. Dillon.

[Chester]

Morning, Fogg. I'll be over there in a minute, soon as I straighten this stuff out.

[Matt Dillon]

Good morning, Marshall.

[Chester]

Good morning, Mr. Papp. You're taking money out, Marshall, or putting it in? Neither. Mr. Papp. This is government.

[Matt Dillon]

Who are those men, Marshall?

[Chester]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

I say, who are those men?

[Chester]

I never saw him before.

[Matt Dillon]

That one in the middle holding the envelope. He seems pretty excited about something. Certainly, sir.

[Chester]

What can I do for you? I want a loan of money. We'll do what we can, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

First of all, how much do you want?

[Chester]

Twenty thousand dollars.

[Matt Dillon]

Twenty thousand.

[Chester]

Mr. Papp?

[Matt Dillon]

Yes.

[Chester]

Excuse me, Martin.

[Matt Dillon]

Gentlemen, this is our president.

[Narrator]

You'll have to talk with him.

[Chester]

I heard you say $20,000, gentlemen. That's a lot of money. What do you have for collateral? My collateral, sir, is right here in this envelope. You may look at it, but don't reveal it to these other gentlemen. These are playing cards.

[Matt Dillon]

Don't. Don't name them. I'm afraid I don't understand.

[Chester]

Well, I've been in a poker game at the Texas Trail all night long. Right now, there's about $40,000 in that pocket. There are some good hands out. I've put every cent I had into it already. Now they've given me just 20 minutes to come up with more money. Well, I certainly wish you luck, sir, But I never heard of it. I've seen my hand in that envelope. You can lend me the money on that. But surely, sir, you don't expect the

[Matt Dillon]

bank to enter a gambling game.

[Chester]

These gentlemen are also in the game. They came along to see that those cards aren't changed. They are. The men are watching the table at the Texas Trail. It's all fair and square, I assure you. Well, gentlemen, I'll gladly pay you 10% interest, sir. You've only got five minutes left, Hook.

[Matt Dillon]

Come along, gentlemen.

[Chester]

We'll step in the back office.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, now, that's about the craziest thing I ever did here.

[Chester]

He must have a pretty good hand, Chester.

[Matt Dillon]

I know, sir, but you don't think Mr. Papp's gonna let him have $20,000 on it?

[Chester]

It certainly looks that way.

[Matt Dillon]

There.

[Chester]

There we are. I'll take care of this, and we'll get out of here. This is government stuff, Fogg. You know what to do with it.

[Matt Dillon]

Certainly, Mr. Dillon. Now, let me see. Marshall. Marshall, I want you to come with me. What?

[Chester]

These gentlemen.

[Matt Dillon]

There's a poker game, and I've got the money here.

[Chester]

I think you better come along just to be safe. You mean you gave him his $20,000, mister?

[Matt Dillon]

Yes. Yes, of course. Now, come over here, Marshall. I'll tell you.

[Chester]

All right,

[Matt Dillon]

Marshall.

[Chester]

That man hooked there has four aces and a ten in his hand.

[Matt Dillon]

It's a sure thing.

[Chester]

Why, the bank stands to make $2,000 on this loan. And it won't take but a few minutes. You run the bank, Mr. Pepper. Are you sure you ought to take a gamble with other people's money?

[Matt Dillon]

This way I can't lose.

[Chester]

There's not a chance in a million.

[Matt Dillon]

But I want you to protect this

[Chester]

money till I get it back here. Well, all right. I'll see nobody takes it at the point of a gun. If you think that'll help.

[Matt Dillon]

Good.

[Commercial Announcer]

Good.

[Narrator]

Now, you.

[Chester]

You come along then. Hook's only got a few minutes to get back in the game. All right. There's my money, Mr. Shaneways, I'm calling you, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

You must have a pretty good hand, Hook.

[Chester]

All the tubble you've been to, you will see it. What have you got? Five little hearts, all blue. I win, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Four aces. But look at my hearts. They read 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.

[Chester]

Straight flush. Your aces lose, Hook. Aces.

[Matt Dillon]

Aces.

[Chester]

How could he have a straight flush?

[Matt Dillon]

Got it dealt right out of the deck, Hook. Right out of the deck. Nice pot. Had enough?

[Chester]

But he.

[Narrator]

He won.

[Chester]

Mr. Papp, sir, I don't know what to say.

[Matt Dillon]

$20,000, just like that.

[Chester]

$20,000 is not even my money. Now, Mr. Papp. Don't you worry, sir. I only borrowed that money. You'll have it back. You have my word as a Confederate gentleman on that. Hook, please, Hook. I've got to have it back.

[Matt Dillon]

It's not my money.

[Narrator]

I have to put it back in the bank.

[Chester]

I'll be ruined if people find out you only loaned the money, sir. I lost it. Now, I'll send for it today. So I'll wire my agents. They'll have it on the next Saturday fee. That leaves St. Louis.

[Matt Dillon]

No, Huck.

[Chester]

No, I don't think that'll happen. My word as a gentleman, sir. But you must be patient. I shouldn't have done it. I had no right to do it. Chester. Yes, sir? Go tell Doc I want to see him.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, Mr. Dillon.

[Chester]

All right, everybody. Now listen to me, all of you. Now, I don't want a word said about this to anyone. The bank's important to Dodge, and this could ruin it. Do you understand? All right, then see to it, or there'll be trouble for all of you. Mr. Pap, hold up a minute, will you? Mr. Pap. Marshall, I should have listened to you. I'm ruined.

[Matt Dillon]

Now.

[Chester]

Now, look, Mr. Papp. Maybe Hook's got money. I don't know. But if not, we'll figure something out. People will give you time. No. No, they won't. As soon as they hear about this, there won't be any bank. They won't trust it anymore. But they have to. It's the only bank there is. What'll Joanne think?

[Matt Dillon]

My kids.

[Chester]

I can't face it, Marshall.

[Matt Dillon]

I just can't face it.

[Chester]

Now, look, you just go back to the bank and tell the cashier to keep his mouth shut about this. You just got to give it time. Sure, Marshall. I'll go. I'll go. There is no question in my mind. Oh, Marshall. Marshall, sir, I am sorry for that man, but he has no reason to worry. I'll send for the money at once. Yeah, you do that, Mr. Hook. Send for the money. Gentlemen, what are your names?

[Matt Dillon]

My name's Shaneways, Marshall. Now, I'm sorry for that banker, but

[Chester]

it's nothing to do with me. I won this money fair and I'm keeping it. Sure, Mr. Shaneways. Of course you have. Who are you? Mr. Varden. And I agree with Shaneways. Gambling money's fair money. Nobody is arguing that Mr. Varden better remember, gentlemen, what I said. Don't talk about this.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, well. Hey, Matt. Chester said you wanted me. What's happened? Didn't hear any shooting.

[Chester]

Everything's all right, Doc.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, well, I see. Oh, you look familiar, don't you?

[Chester]

I haven't had the pleasure, sir.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, well, maybe not. No, I guess not. My mistake.

[Chester]

Never mind, Doc. Come on.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah. Chester said he'd wait at the office, Mac.

[Chester]

Look, Doc, I want you to go over to the bank. Mr. Papp is pretty upset. See what you can do for him, huh? Give him a bromide or something.

[Matt Dillon]

Not sure, man. What's wrong with him anyway?

[Chester]

He just lost $20,000 in a poker game. He lost rid of him and he wasn't playing. He lent the money on the strength of what looked like a good hand. That man Hook came into the bank for it with the other two.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, he brought his cards along and raised the loan that way, huh?

[Chester]

Huh? How did you know?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, I. I heard of it once, Matt. It was down in New Orleans. Oh, that was years ago.

[Chester]

Well, what happened?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, same thing. Fella got the money and he lost it. That's all.

[Chester]

You mean it was fixed between him and the others?

[Matt Dillon]

Sure, it was fixed all right.

[Chester]

Well, how did they find out?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, the fellow that borrowed the money got drunk and he talked and they put him in jail. But the others got away clean.

[Chester]

Look, Doc, that gray haired man you thought you recognized, his name's Hook. Are you sure you never saw him before?

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, a lot of people look familiar at first glance, man, you know, how

[Chester]

did you get look in New Orleans? You. You didn't know the men who pulled the trick on the back, did you?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, people said that they'd come down on the riverboat. I was doctor in the Tennessee Bell then, but I never met them. Not to my knowledge, anyway.

[Chester]

You recall hearing their names?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, that was a long time ago, Matt.

[Chester]

Look, Doc, those three back there may have just pulled the same thing. Now, Hook look familiar to you? Maybe he remembers you, too.

[Matt Dillon]

He just said he'd never met me, Doc. He could be lying, sure, but I can't place him. I probably never saw him before.

[Chester]

Well, go see what you can do for Pep. He's in pretty bad shape.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, sure. Man

[Chester]

gamblers were always drifting in and out of Dodge. Some of them were crooked and some, it had been said, were honest. Ordinarily, it didn't matter much one way or the other. Most men could take care of themselves. But now the bank was involved and the citizens of Dodge had their faith in that bank as well as their money. I gave it a lot of thought the next hour or so, and finally I had an idea. That seemed like a start. Anyway, I explained it to Chester and together we went back to the Texas trail. Shane, Willis and Varden were idly cutting cars and Hook was at the bar talking to Kitty.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Matt. Kitty. Hi, Miss Kitty. You know Mr. Hook. This is Marshall Dylan.

[Chester]

We met earlier. Why, yes, indeed.

[Matt Dillon]

This morning.

[Chester]

I must have smelled trouble, Kitty. I got up early.

[Matt Dillon]

You're always smelling trouble, miss.

[Chester]

Yeah. Leave your beer, Hook, and come with me.

[Matt Dillon]

What for?

[Chester]

Just do it. Whatever you say, Marshall. Miss Kitty, I'll be back.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, sure.

[Chester]

All right, Varden, Shaneways, get up and follow Chester. What is this?

[Matt Dillon]

An arrest?

[Chester]

Now, what would I be arresting you for, Mr. Shaneways?

[Matt Dillon]

What? Nothing.

[Chester]

You have no reason. That's right. All right, come on, let's go.

[Matt Dillon]

Just follow her along, please.

[Chester]

What is the idea of bringing us in here, Marshall?

[Matt Dillon]

Good morning, gentlemen.

[Chester]

What can I. Oh, hello, Marshall Chester.

[Matt Dillon]

Hello, Lum.

[Chester]

Lum, these men want their pictures taken.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, no, not me. I don't.

[Narrator]

I've got plenty of pictures.

[Chester]

Can you do it right away, Lum? Oh, certainly can, Marshall. And gentlemen, you'll be the very first to stand to form a new drop. The ancient temples of Greece. It'll end your dignity, power. What's the idea of this, Marshall? Lum's just gonna take your pictures, that's all. Oh, Lum. Front and side views both, huh? Oh, certainly, Marshal, certainly. And then, gentlemen, if you leave Dodge, any of you, it'll make it a lot easier for the law to find you and bring you back wherever you go. This is outrageous.

[Matt Dillon]

I won't stand for it.

[Chester]

Wait a minute. I agree the marshal is being a little high handed. But after all, he must protect himself in his job. But since we've done nothing wrong, we have nothing to fear.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure looks right.

[Chester]

Wolf Garden. I'll go first. Are you ready, Lum? No, right this way, sir. Chester, you stay here and wait for the pictures. Bring them over when they're finished.

[Matt Dillon]

Yes, Mr. Dylan. Mom's a pretty good photographer, Mr. Dillon.

[Chester]

Yeah, these aren't bad. Lock them up in the safe, will you? Just.

[Matt Dillon]

All right. You think this will keep them in Dodge, sir?

[Chester]

No, not if they really get scared.

[Matt Dillon]

They're guilty all right. Aren't they, Mr. Dillon?

[Chester]

And I can't prove a thing, Chester, one way or the other.

[Matt Dillon]

Matt. Call me Matt. Bad news?

[Chester]

What, Doc?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, this is Pap. Sent for me a little while ago. I just come from there, Matt.

[Commercial Announcer]

He.

[Matt Dillon]

He killed himself. Suicide Pap by Nargo Poor. That poor man.

[Chester]

How's Mrs. Papp taking her?

[Matt Dillon]

Not a tear so far. But I suppose she'll break down later. Neighbor woman's there with her.

[Chester]

Does she know why he did it, Doc?

[Matt Dillon]

Well, it seems he told her all about it. And then he went out and he shot himself.

[Chester]

There's no stopping it now. Story will be all over town in no time.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, what are you gonna do now, man?

[Chester]

I don't know, Doc. I just don't know.

[Narrator]

We will return with the second act of Gun Smoke in just a moment.

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[Chester]

I'll buy you a drink, Kitty.

[Matt Dillon]

Gosh, I'd like it, Math. But I just said I'd join Hook over at his table.

[Chester]

Well, I'd like to talk to him, too. I'll just sit with you for a few minutes.

[Matt Dillon]

That's fine with me. I don't know about him, though.

[Chester]

I don't think he'll object. I just have time for a smoke. Mr. Hook, I didn't think you'd mind. Why no, of course not. You're quite welcome, Marshall. May I buy you a drink? No, thank you. Marshall, I want you to know I sent for that money today, just as I promised. Oh, you're a little late.

[Matt Dillon]

Late?

[Chester]

Mr. Papp shot himself. He did?

[Matt Dillon]

You mean Mr. Papp, the banker?

[Chester]

Yeah.

[Matt Dillon]

But why, Matt? He would always seem so quiet, like.

[Chester]

Maybe Mr. Hook will explain it, Kitty. Well, now, Marshall, you can't hold me responsible in any way at all. I didn't say I could, Hook. But you seem kind of nervous about it. Well, naturally, I'm upset. After all, that man did me a great favor. Yeah, sure, sure. But I don't think the people in Dodge are going to like it much when they find out. Tell me something, Mr. Hook. When were you in New Orleans last? New Orleans?

[Matt Dillon]

Mm.

[Chester]

Why do you ask that, Marshall? Just curious. Well, sir, I've never been in New Orleans. Does that answer your question? Yeah. It's good enough for now. Goodbye, Kitty. I'll drop by later.

[Matt Dillon]

Sure, Matt.

[Chester]

And Mr. Hook, it still goes about not leaving town. I like it here, Marshall. Yeah. Yeah, you should. Maybe I should have arrested Hook and his friends without any evidence and just seize the $20,000 and put it back where it belonged. That might have saved people's faith in the bank. But I figured my job was to give him faith in the law, and I couldn't do it that way. I'd made it plain to Hook what I suspected, and I hoped it'd scare him into making a mistake. And it did. But I didn't learn about it until next morning when I was having breakfast at the Dodge House.

[Matt Dillon]

Mr. Dillon.

[Chester]

What?

[Matt Dillon]

I've been looking everywhere for you. At your room. Delmonicos, the Texas Trail, everywhere. This is the last place ahead.

[Chester]

Well, what is it, Jesse?

[Matt Dillon]

Here, look here. Just you read that,

[Chester]

Marshall. We're taking Doc along. If you follow us, we'll kill him. Where'd you get this, Chester?

[Matt Dillon]

It was under the door when I opened up this morning. I ran up to Doc's right away, and sure enough, Mr. Dillon, he's gone.

[Chester]

Come on. Go check the depot and the stage line, Chester. I'll cover the liveries tables.

[Matt Dillon]

All right, sir.

[Chester]

That'll take me longer. So you get our horses ready. I'll meet you at the office. Well, it's the Marshall. You're out early today. Not early enough. Andy.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah?

[Chester]

What can I do for? I want to know if you rented out any horses last night. Well, sure, a few.

[Matt Dillon]

Why?

[Chester]

Did you rent four to anybody? Four? In a bunch? Why, yes, I sure did be back today. So they said. Who said? Well, strangest to me. Paid me in advance, though. The greenhorn. What time was this, Andy? Oh, it was late. Yeah, it was way after midnight, it was. Something wrong? Yeah. Tell me, Auntie, what they look like. Well, one was an old fellow, gray hair. Didn't give me his name, though. I don't think I got much of a look at the other one. You have any idea which trail they took out of town? No, I don't. One of them said something about St. Louis, but that's not much help, is it? That might be. Thanks, Andy. Oh, one thing, Marshall. Yeah? If you're riding after them, those horses they got are just crowbaits. I didn't figure they could handle anything better. There was nothing to do but take a chance and ride east. Luck was with us, though, and within an hour we cut their trail. Four horses leave a pretty fair track, and we followed it, riding hard. By dusk, we could tell by their sign that we'd nearly caught up with them. Soon after dark, we spotted their fire. These were gentlemen, maybe, but they were mighty poor hands on the prairie. We left our horses and went ahead on foot.

[Matt Dillon]

We gonna shoot it out with him, Mr. Dillon?

[Chester]

We can't chance it, jester. That killed Doc. Now, hold up a minute. That, sir, horses just ahead.

[Matt Dillon]

They sure staked him a good piece from Cat. Yeah.

[Chester]

Lie down, Chester.

[Matt Dillon]

What do we do, Mr. Dillon?

[Chester]

We just wait. Those men are mighty green at this game. I think we can steal their horses without any trouble at all.

[Matt Dillon]

Just leave them afoot, huh?

[Chester]

Yeah. Now, look, Chester, when we get those horses, I want you to pick up ours and take the whole bunch out of sight. I'm gonna crawl into that tall grass just to the left of the fire there and hide until morning.

[Matt Dillon]

Mr. Dillon, why can't I go with you? Every time we get in trouble, you always send me off alone somewhere. You always do everything alone.

[Chester]

Do as I tell you, Chester. Yes, sir. You just wait till you hear gunfire, then ride in fast and bring all the horses.

[Matt Dillon]

All right.

[Chester]

Good luck. By dawn next morning, I was half burrowed into the ground and covered by blue stem grass not more than 30ft from their camp. I could hear their talk all right, but I couldn't see them unless they were on their feet. Chainways had already gone out after the horses. Pretty soon he was back with their ropes. That's what, every last one of them. What do we do now? Fuel the chainways, go after them. I'll stay here and. God, Doc. Now hurry up, we gotta get moving. Come on, Wagner. We'll never find him. You can have this country, Doc. I don't know why you ever left that soft birth you had on the Tennessee Bell.

[Matt Dillon]

Well, I didn't have to leave it. That's more than you can say about New Orleans. More?

[Chester]

Talk like that, you get your throat slashed like a fat show document.

[Matt Dillon]

Spoken like a true gentleman, Hook, or whatever your name is now.

[Chester]

If you hadn't talked so much in the first place, you wouldn't be where you are now.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, you're a fool, Hook. I might have seen you somewhere, but I sure couldn't connect you with that New Orleans business anyway. You're giving yourself away now, just how. Don't you know there wasn't a thing

[Narrator]

the law could do until you ran.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, you'll be caught now for sure. Yeah.

[Chester]

Oh, I doubt it.

[Matt Dillon]

Why don't you untie my hands? I can't.

[Chester]

I let Hook and Doc wrangle on till I figured the other two men had walked about a half a mile from camp. Then I waited till Hook had his back to me and I stood up slowly. Move quietly forward. Doc saw me and almost spoiled the game. But he caught himself in time and then started another argument with Hook. I was about 15ft away when Doc suddenly kicked the coffee pot off the fire and all over Hooks legs that I moved.

[Narrator]

Oh,

[Matt Dillon]

Hit him again, Matt. He can stand it. No, no, no.

[Chester]

That's enough. All right, get up, Hook. Oh, Marshall. Easy now. Don't shoot. Get Doc untied and be quick about it.

[Matt Dillon]

Yeah, get me untied and be quick about it. There. Oh. Oh, that feels better. Oh, Hook, if I weren't a professional man, I'd punch you right in the eye.

[Chester]

Never mind. Doc here put his gun in your belt.

[Matt Dillon]

I'm just mad enough I'd like to have an excuse to use this. Matt, what are you doing?

[Chester]

You'll see, Matt.

[Matt Dillon]

Why, you'll have them back here in no time.

[Chester]

I got a surprise for Hook, but he's not gonna like it much.

[Matt Dillon]

Huh?

[Chester]

Where they got the money, Doc?

[Matt Dillon]

He in that saddlebag right over there.

[Chester]

All right, get it. Call you quick. Hurry up.

[Matt Dillon]

Them two didn't get very far away.

[Chester]

All right, Doc, if you got the money, get up on that horse.

[Matt Dillon]

You too, Hook.

[Chester]

Come on, quick now.

[Matt Dillon]

Come on to the come. You see him, Mr. Dillon?

[Chester]

Yeah, I see him.

[Matt Dillon]

They're shooting at us. Well, I'll fix that.

[Narrator]

All right.

[Chester]

Hold it, Chester. They can't hit us from there. Come on, let's ride.

[Matt Dillon]

You Just going to ride off and leave them, Matt?

[Chester]

We got you, Doc. And we got Hook. And we got the money.

[Matt Dillon]

Oh, but they'll. They'll die out here, Marshall.

[Chester]

Cuz none of us know how to

[Matt Dillon]

live on this boat.

[Chester]

Well, maybe they'll learn the good way.

[Matt Dillon]

You're murdering those men.

[Chester]

They'll be all right for a few days, Hook. You'll all meet in prison. All right, ease up. We've left. What do you plan to do about this? They're full of fight right now, that's all. I don't want to have to kill them to take them. But in a few days he'll be so hungry and scared we can walk right up to him. Nobody will get hurt that way. Neither them or us.

[Matt Dillon]

Mr. Dillon.

[Chester]

Yeah, what is it, Chester?

[Matt Dillon]

Mr. Dillon? Later. In a couple of days. Let me come back and bring him in. What, just me this time. Alone?

[Chester]

Well, not chester, I.

[Matt Dillon]

Please, Mr. Dillon.

[Chester]

Okay, Chester. You can do it Alone.

[Matt Dillon]

Thank you, sir. All right, Hook.

[Chester]

Ride a little faster there.

[Matt Dillon]

We ain't got all day. We the ones still showing up holding hands.

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[Chester]

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[Narrator]

Gunsmoke, under the direction of Norman McDonald, stars William Conrad as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal. Tonight's story was especially written for Gunsmoke by John Meston, with music composed and conducted by Rex Corey. Featured in the cast were Lawrence Dobkin, Harry Bartell, Ralph Moody, James Nusser, Joe Cranston, Paul Dubov and Peter Lee Parley. Bear is Chester, Howard McNear as Doc and Georgia Ellis is Kitty. Gun smoke is heard by our troops overseas through the facilities of the Armed Forces Radio Service. Join us again next week as Matt Dillon, U.S. marshal, fights to bring law and order out of the wild violence of the west. In Gunsmoke this Monday night on the Lux Radio Theater, June Allison recreates her original screen role and appears as the Girl in White. Don't miss the Lux Radio Theater this Monday night on most of these same CBS radio stations. George Walsh Speaking America now wakes up to 3 million clock radios and listens most to the CBS Radio Network.

[Andrew Rines]

This has been a presentation of otrwesterns.com and we hope you enjoyed. Please take some time to like and rate this episode within your favorite podcast application. Follow us on Facebook by going to otrwesterns.com Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel by going to otrwesterns.Com YouTube become one of our ranch hands and unlock some exclusive content. We want to thank our most recent ranch hands Steve and Tom who joined us recently. You too can join by going to otrwesterns.com donate send us an email podcast trwesterns.com and you can call and leave us a voicemail 707-986-8739. This episode is copyrighted under the Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Copyright. For more information go to otrwesterns.com copyright have a great day and thanks for listening.

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